Migration Overseas
Since 1998
The main route for skilled professionals to work in the UK. Employer-sponsored visa with a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), now 10 years by default or 5 years for higher earners.
Score minimum 70 points to qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa.
You must have a genuine job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence.
20 PointsJob must be skilled at RQF level 6 or above (degree level), or a medium-skilled role on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
20 PointsProve English skills at CEFR Level B2 through IELTS, PTE, or degree taught in English.
10 PointsMeet minimum salary of 41,700 GBP/year or going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher.
20 PointsKey requirements to qualify for the UK Skilled Worker Visa.
You must have a genuine job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence. The employer provides a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) with details of your job and salary.
Earn at least 41,700 GBP/year or the "going rate" for your occupation (whichever is higher). Lower minimums apply in some cases: 33,400 GBP for new entrants and Immigration Salary List jobs, and 25,000 GBP for listed health and education jobs on national pay scales. From 8 April 2026 the required salary must be paid in each pay period, at least monthly.
Prove English skills at CEFR Level B2 through approved test (IELTS, PTE) or degree taught in English. Note: B2 applies to new applications and to switching from most other visas from 8 January 2026. Only people who held a Skilled Worker visa before that date and are extending or updating it need B1. Some nationalities are exempt from testing.
Job must be skilled at RQF level 6 or above (degree level). Medium-skilled roles (RQF 3 to 5) are only eligible if listed on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. If you are extending and your first certificate of sponsorship was issued before 22 July 2025, you can still apply in a medium-skilled occupation.
Salary requirements vary based on your situation.
| Category | Minimum Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Route | 41,700 GBP/year | Or going rate, whichever is higher |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) | 33,400 GBP/year | Check the current list on gov.uk before relying on it |
| New Entrant (Under 26) | 33,400 GBP/year | Recent graduates; at least 70% of going rate |
| Health and Education (national pay scales) | 25,000 GBP/year | Or the pay scale rate if higher |
| PhD in a relevant subject | 37,500 GBP/year (non-STEM), 33,400 GBP/year (STEM) | At least 90% / 80% of going rate |
| Transitional (pre-Apr 2024) | 31,300 GBP/year | First certificate of sponsorship before 4 Apr 2024 |
Common occupations for Indian professionals in the UK. Care worker and senior care worker roles have been closed to new applications from overseas since 22 July 2025, so they are not listed here.
Jobs on the ISL can be paid from 33,400 GBP if they also meet the going rate, and the application fee is lower (628 GBP for up to 3 years). The ISL replaced the Shortage Occupation List in April 2024. Care worker roles are limited to people already in the UK, with applications made before 22 July 2028. The gov.uk list page shows no end date at 6 November 2026, so check it before relying on it.
IT, Data, DevOps
Nurses and Doctors
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical
Accountants, Analysts
Secondary, STEM subjects
Research, Biotech, Pharma
Project Managers, Surveyors
Supply Chain, Operations
Complete guide to the Skilled Worker Visa application.
Secure job offer from UK employer with valid sponsor licence. They will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Your employer provides a unique CoS reference number containing your job and salary details.
Gather passport, English test results, TB test (if applicable), bank statements, and qualification certificates.
Complete online application form, pay visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Attend appointment at visa application centre to provide fingerprints and photograph.
Decisions are usually made within 3 weeks for applications from outside the UK and within 8 weeks for applications from inside the UK.
Understanding costs and processing times. Fees are from gov.uk, checked on 6 November 2026.
| Fee Component | Duration | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Fee (Outside UK) | Up to 3 years | 819 GBP |
| Visa Fee (Outside UK) | More than 3 years | 1,618 GBP |
| Visa Fee (Inside UK) | Up to 3 years | 943 GBP |
| Visa Fee (Inside UK) | More than 3 years | 1,865 GBP |
| Visa Fee (ISL job) | Up to 3 years / more than 3 years | 628 / 1,235 GBP |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | Up to 3 years / more than 3 years | 324 / 628 GBP |
| Health Surcharge (IHS) | Per year (not on Health and Care Worker visa) | 1,035 GBP |
| Priority Processing | Optional, if eligible | 500 GBP |
| Super Priority | Optional, if eligible | 1,000 GBP |
| Immigration Skills Charge (paid by employer) | First 12 months (small or charity) | 480 GBP |
| Immigration Skills Charge (paid by employer) | First 12 months (medium or large) | 1,320 GBP |
Under the earned settlement model confirmed by the Home Secretary on 2 November 2026, the default qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on the Skilled Worker route is 10 years. Earners of at least GBP 50,271 in 3 of the 5 years before applying and specified public service roles can qualify after 5 years, and earners of at least GBP 125,141 in 3 of the 4 years before applying after 3 years. A partner who arrives with you can settle at the same time; a partner who joins later must complete the same qualifying period. Time on Student and Graduate visas does not count. The detailed Immigration Rules and transitional arrangements for people already on the route have not yet been published.
5 years if earning at least GBP 50,271 in 3 of the 5 years before applying, or in a specified public service role
At least GBP 12,571 in 5 of the previous 7 years for the 10-year route; GBP 50,271 (5 years) or GBP 125,141 (3 years) for the shorter routes
Pass the Life in the UK test and B2 English (speaking and listening for applications from 26 March 2027), with a clean record, no government debt and sustained National Insurance contributions
Usually 12 months after ILR you can apply for British citizenship, subject to residence rules
Find answers to the most common questions about this visa.
The Skilled Worker visa allows you to work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible skilled job. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa after Brexit and is the main UK work visa.
A CoS is an electronic document issued by your UK employer (licensed sponsor) containing information about the job and you. You need a valid CoS to apply for the visa.
Generally, you need to be paid at least GBP 41,700 a year or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher. Lower minimums apply in some cases, for example GBP 33,400 for new entrants and Immigration Salary List jobs, and GBP 25,000 for listed health and education jobs on national pay scales. From 8 April 2026 the required salary must be paid in each pay period, at least monthly.
The job must be in an eligible occupation skilled to RQF level 6 or above (degree level). Medium-skilled roles (RQF 3 to 5) qualify only if they are on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. If you are extending and your first certificate of sponsorship was issued before 22 July 2025, you can still apply in a medium-skilled occupation. Care worker and senior care worker roles have been closed to new applications from overseas since 22 July 2025.
Your employer pays the Immigration Skills Charge when it assigns the certificate of sponsorship: GBP 480 for small or charitable sponsors and GBP 1,320 for medium or large sponsors for the first 12 months, then GBP 240 or GBP 660 for each additional 6 months. It is paid in addition to your visa fees, and there is no charge for dependants.
Yes, but the qualifying period is changing. Under the earned settlement model confirmed by the Home Secretary on 2 November 2026, the default is 10 years. Workers who earn at least GBP 50,271 in 3 of the 5 years immediately before applying, or who work in specified public service roles, can qualify after 5 years, and those who earn at least GBP 125,141 in 3 of the 4 years immediately before applying can qualify after 3 years. B2 English, the Life in the UK test, a clean record, no government debt and sustained National Insurance contributions are required. For Skilled Worker settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027 the English requirement rises from B1 to B2 in speaking and listening. Time on Student and Graduate visas does not count towards settlement. The detailed Immigration Rules and transitional arrangements for people already on the route have not yet been published, so current visa holders should not assume the 5-year period still applies to them.
You must show English at CEFR level B2 for new applications and for switching from most other visas, from 8 January 2026. Only people who held a Skilled Worker visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it need B1, and people switching from a Health and Care Worker visa do not need to prove it again. You can prove English with an approved Secure English Language Test, a degree-level qualification taught in English (a UK degree, or one assessed by Ecctis as equivalent), a UK school qualification started before age 18, or proof from an earlier successful visa application. Nationals of listed majority English-speaking countries are exempt.
Yes, your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. Partners can work without restrictions and children can study. The exception is that workers newly sponsored from 22 July 2025 in medium-skilled (RQF 3 to 5) roles on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List cannot bring dependants.
Yes, but you need a new CoS from the new employer and must apply to update your visa before starting the new job.
The Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List from 4 April 2024. Jobs on the Immigration Salary List can be paid from GBP 33,400 if they also meet the going rate, and the application fee is lower (GBP 628 for up to 3 years). Care worker and senior care worker roles are limited to people already working in the UK, with applications made before 22 July 2028. The interim Temporary Shortage List covers some medium-skilled roles (RQF 3 to 5) and applies only where the certificate of sponsorship was issued before 31 December 2026. As of 6 November 2026 gov.uk shows no end date on the Immigration Salary List page, but both lists can change, so check them on gov.uk before relying on either.
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